Distinguishing features

In contrast to other picornaviruses, the genome layout of dicipiviruses exhibits two ORFs separated by an intergenic region (IGR) that functions as an IRES to translate the second ORF. The IGR-IRES of the one described member of this genus, canine picodicistrovirus, shows no similarity to the equivalent region in members of the Dicistroviridae.

Genome organization and replication

Genome layout:

VPg+5'UTRIRES[1A-1B-1C-1D]-IGRIRES[2A-2B-2C/3A-3B-3C-3D]3'UTR-poly(A)

The predicted polyprotein have lengths of 845 aa (P1) and 1,407 aa (P2-P3), respectively. There is no L protein. P1 comprises four capsid proteins (1A-1D); 1A lacks a myristoylation signal. The function of the 2A protein is unknown.